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Easy Cactus Art for Kids
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How to Make Cactus Squeegee Art

Cactus squeegee painting is a fun and easy art project that uses a simple scrape technique to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind cactus designs. This colourful craft is perfect for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to explore paint, texture, and creativity.
Active Time15 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Yield: 1 cactus squeegee painting
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $1

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting Supplies

Step 2: Prepare paper

  • Place a piece of watercolor paper on a baking tray or other protected surface. You can use a full sheet of paper, or cut one in half like we did.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Cover the bottom 2 to 2-1/2 inches of the paper with painter's tape or washi tape (something that won't damage the paper).
    Cactus Squeegee Painting

Step 3: Paint the cacti shapes

  • Make an upside-down "U" shape with the paint. The top curve will be the top of the cactus.
    You can use a toothpick to smooth out the paint lines if it doesn't come out cleanly from the bottle.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Put the squeegee above the paint and pull it down towards yourself, applying a bit of pressure as you do so.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Continue until the squeegee is past the tape line. Then wipe or wash the squeegee clean.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Repeat with different shades of green, adding the paint marks at different heights.
    It's okay if the plants overlap each other, but you can also try to make thinner cactuses beside each other instead.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting

Step 4: Add details to the cacti

  • Carefully remove the tape from the bottom of the paper.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Use a regular Sharpie marker to outline the cacti. You can decide which cactuses you want at the front and which will only have parts of the outline showing.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Use an ultra fine tip marker to add details to a cactus, making it look nice and spikey.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Repeat with the rest of the cacti, trying to add different types of lines and dots to represent various styles of cactuses.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting

Step 5: Paint a pot

  • Then use brown acrylic paint and a brush to add a pot below the cactus garden. Allow to dry.
    You can also cut a pot shape from construction paper or cardstock and glue it on.
    Cactus Squeegee Painting
  • Your cactus squeegee painting is complete!
    Cactus Squeegee Painting

Video

Notes

Looking for more cactus crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
DIY Clay Cactus
Felt Cactus Pattern
Macrame Cactus